It is common parlance that India needs a menstrual policy. While it is necessary to have a nationwide policy that can bring the agenda of menstrual hygiene management to the forefront, that is not the only way to make legal headway. Several ministries and state governments have passed legislation, issued directives and launched schemes that help in spreading awareness and bringing the issue of mensuration to the forefront.
Till the time a central menstrual policy is discussed, developed and formulated, these stakeholders can serve as an important guiding light when it comes to implementing and executing menstrual hygiene management policies in the country.
The aim of the article is to bring to light what is already out in the open when it comes to legislation and frameworks with respect to menstrual hygiene management in India. Even if these directives are implemented in full and with complete efficiency, it will go a long way in providing better access to facilities and benefits to menstruating women. This is because simply passing laws isn’t the solution. Their competent implementation should be a priority as well.
Period Leave: A Reality In Some States Already
The Menstruation Benefit Bill that was debated in the Parliament in 2018 sought to provide women working in public and private sectors two days of paid menstrual leave every month. However, in some states, the concept is already a reality. Period leave has been a reality in Bihar since 1992.
The Bihar government allows all women staff to take two days of special leave every month due to biological reasons. While it would have been ideal if it was stated that menstruation is the reason behind such legislation, the rule in itself is commendable.
On similar lines, a study of official records shows that the Government Girls School in Ernakulam, Kerala had allowed students to take a period leave in 1912 itself! The school gave the provision to menstruating women to skip their exams and write them later. These practices show how menstruation leave can be made a reality irrespective of the fact whether there is a nationwide menstrual policy regulating it or not. Such stories should serve as a catalyst for other state governments, organizations and corporations to follow suit and provide the benefit of menstrual leave to women.
Pink Toilets Constructed By NCPCR To Improve Sanitation Facilities As Well
It is also important to understand that the intersectionality between menstrual hygiene management and legislation isn’t just restricted to the menstrual policy. There are different ways to doll out benefits to menstruating women, and many governments are doing exactly that.
Over the past few years, several state governments have constructed what they call ‘Pink toilets’. These toilets are essentially women-friendly toilets that provide menstrual hygiene facilities such as sanitary pad vending machines and even incinerators for effective waste management of sanitary pads.
Facilities like these play an important role in spreading awareness about menstruating while also dealing with one of the widespread problems being faced by our country when it comes to MHM. The lack of sanitary pad use by women. only 18% of women know how to use a sanitary napkin in India, and the establishment of these Pink Toilets can go a long way in ensuring ease of availability of sanitary products for women.
Several state corporations have set up such Pink Toilets in the last few years. The New Delhi Municipal Corporation Constructed has constructed over 20 such pink toilets across the city, with the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sent circulars to state authorities to set up pink toilets across the state on priority. Pink Toilets can be found in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district as well.
Menstrual Hygiene Scheme Scheme Under National Health Mission Has Been Promoting Menstrual Hygiene Management In India
The conversation around menstrual hygiene management in India has gained traction via other avenues as well. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation issued National Guidelines for Menstrual Health Management (MHM) in 2015. It signalled an important step in India politics, as it introduced an official document that recognized MHM and the need to work on it to ensure access to healthy menstruation facilities is a basic right.
Similarly, many schemes have been launched to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products for women. The ‘Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin’ initiative launched in Odisha aims to provide both sanitary napkins and employment opportunities to women. Similarly, the Asmita Yojana Scheme was launched in Maharashtra to provide rural women sanitary pads at discounted prices.
All these legislations, policies and initiatives help us understand that there is a multitude of ways where the movement to provide better MHM facilities in India can be strengthened legally and administratively. If effectively done, the existing provisions hold great potential in solving a magnitude of problems being faced by menstruating women. There is a need to ensure the complete execution of policies as much as there is a need to bring in new laws.